Nutritious Party Food: Edamame

What party food is high in fiber and protein, low in fat and sodium, contains no trans fat and tastes good with beer? Edamame (soybeans)! Yep, and I have prepared some today; I hope you’ll consider doing the same over the holidays to enjoy with your friends and family.

Although edamame has been popular for years in the cuisines of Japan, China and Hawaii, it is just starting to enjoy the popularity it deserves as a delicious and nutritious legume here in the US. One half cup of shelled edamame contains 100 calories, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 30 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrate, 8 grams protein, 4 g fiber, and 10% of the daily value of vitamins A and C.

Today I am preparing edamame the way it’s prepared in Japan and served as an appetizer with beer. Simply boil frozen edamame in salty water while still in their pods for about 4 or 5 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain again and sprinkle with sea salt. Squeeze the beans out of the pods with your fingers and enjoy!